The 157-year-old group, which last September issued a profit warning on slowing demand from its wealthiest customers particularly in China, said sales in the three months to December 31 beat forecasts.

They rose 13 per cent to ­£464million, boosting shares by 61p to 1386p. Same-store sales across the group rose 6 per cent, though sales in Europe were flat. It has 203 stores worldwide.

Chief financial officer Stacey Cartwright said: “Chinese sentiment improved and we think all of the economic indicators ­continue to point to very nice growth out of that market and particularly within the luxury ­sector for the years ahead.”

Burberry, known for its camel, red and black check pattern, said sales accelerated in the final week up to Christmas with men’s ­tailoring, scarves, bags, cashmere mufflers and iPad accessories topping shopping lists.

It admitted that fewer ­shoppers came into its stores compared to the previous Christmas but increased customer service and training ensured they spent more.

Cartwright said staff had focused on cross-selling products such as persuading a customer to buy a belt to match a new handbag or to look at its Christmas gifting offers. The language skills of its assistants in its UK shops, some of whom speak Mandarin, also helped sell more goods to Chinese tourists.

Licensing revenues rose 4 per cent helped by the launch of The Britain Watch. However wholesale revenues dropped 5 per cent to £120million because of weakness in southern Europe particularly Italy.